Florida vs. Auburn by the Numbers: The Great, Good and Bad
No. 21 Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC) left Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 44-39 win over Auburn (2-1, 0-1 SEC). Let’s take a look at the numbers and see what stood out in Florida’s first SEC win of the season.
The Great: Keeping Alec Clark off the Field
Alec Clark might have the easiest job in college football. On Saturdays, he watches an offense that refuses to give him a reason to step onto the field.
Florida leads the FBS in fewest punt attempts, with Clark punting just three times so far this season.
Against Auburn, Florida punted only once while trying to bleed the clock in the fourth quarter. The Gators have punted less this season than their average of 4.5 times per game last season. What’s more impressive is that the lack of punts came in a game in which Florida’s 39:16 time of possession ranked third in the country.
Clark’s limited opportunities stem from Buster Faulkner’s offense. Faulkner has Florida extending drives and leaving Clark on the sideline. The Gators converted 4 of 7 third-down attempts in their own territory against Auburn, while 2 of their 3 failed attempts led to fourth-down tries, both of which Florida picked up.
The confidence coach Jon Sumrall and Faulkner have to go for it on fourth down also contributes. Florida has converted 86.7% of its fourth-down attempts, ranking fourth nationally. The Gators converted all three of their fourth-down attempts against Auburn, helping keep possessions alive in a 44-39 victory.
The Good: Exposing DJ Durkin’s Defense
Auburn retained defensive coordinator DJ Durkin this offseason under Alex Golesh. Durkin, the former Florida defensive coordinator and interim coach, specializes in the 3-3-5 formation. The alignment leans toward light boxes, which allows for more running room, and Florida took full advantage.
Auburn’s strategy worked in its first two matchups against Baylor and Southern Mississippi, as the Tigers ranked 21st in rush defense and allowed only 76.5 yards per game. The Gators more than tripled that total, running for 243 yards.
“I knew we were going to do what we did on offense tonight,” Sumrall said of Florida’s rushing attack against Durkin’s defense. “Hey, I’ve watched them enough to know how we were going to play on offense.”
Florida’s 53 rushing attempts were the most it had in a game since the 2022 season (54, South Carolina). The game plan was clearly to run the ball, hoping to produce explosive carries, and the Gators did just that. Two of Jadan Baugh’s rushing touchdowns came off 33- and 53-yard runs.
But it wasn’t just the explosive plays. Florida used the run to extend drives. Eleven of Florida’s 24 first downs came through the ground game.
The Bad: Lots of Yellow Flags Yet Again
Harping on the same statistic for two consecutive weeks may seem excessive. Part of the issue could have been road jitters. However, infractions remain problematic for the Gators.
Florida’s 16 penalties and 138 penalty yards were the most among FBS teams during Week 3. When you allow more penalty yards than the length of a football field and then some, those issues need to be addressed.
“The penalties were out of control. I mean, 16 penalties, we won’t win another game if we do that again,” Sumrall said. “So I got to get it cleaned up, as a staff, got to get it cleaned up, got to play more disciplined.”
Most of the flags came from false starts (three), holding (four) and personal fouls (four). Seven of the calls were against offensive linemen. In fact, 15 FBS teams have committed fewer penalties through Week 3 than Florida’s OL alone (12).
Cormani McClain’s unnecessary roughness penalty on quarterback Byrum Brown was the only mishap that cost Florida points. The controversial call helped Auburn tie the game at 17 in the second quarter.
However, the Gators finished their possessions despite committing penalties on three of their five touchdowns. Florida incurred three setbacks in the red zone alone during its second touchdown drive before Duke Clark ran it in on third-and-goal from the 20.
Florida might get away with the penalties now, but the lack of discipline will eventually be costly, especially with No. 4 Ole Miss coming to Gainesville on Saturday.
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Football
